Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang's latest tour an exercise in giving to fans

Music & Performance

Published: 14 Jul. 2024, 07:00

Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang's latest tour an exercise in giving to fans

Clara-Jumi Kang speaks during a press conference at Geoam Art Hall in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday. [VINCERO]

Clara-Jumi Kang is one of Korea’s most globally renowned violinists. The 37-year-old musician was the winner of the Indianapolis International Violin Competition in 2010 and the youngest student ever to enter the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts.

In her last nationwide recital tour, held during the pandemic in 2021, she challenged herself to perform the entire cycle of Bach’s “Complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin (BWV 1001-1006)” in one sitting at each show.

After three years, Kang is back with another Korean tour. This time, it’s not about doing the undoable but what she wants to give to her fans as a violinist. The recitals are comprised of four songs that are Kang’s personal favorites.

“I remember that there were a lot of limits during my last tour,” Kang said during a press conference at Geoam Art Hall in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday. “I could not perform in as many cities as I wished, and the audience had to sit apart from each other because of social distancing measures.

“This time, I chose songs that bear special memories from my childhood rather than focusing on the connection between the composers’ works,” she continued. “I think classical music and violin enthusiasts will enjoy them.”

Clara-Jumi Kang, left, and pianist Ilya Rashkovskiy perform César Franck’s “Violin Sonata in A Major“ during a press conference at Geoam Art Hall in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday. [VINCERO]

The first concert will be at Bucheon Arts Center on Sept. 1. The tour will then continue to Daegu Suseong Artpia on Sept. 5, Haman Culture & Art Center on Sept. 6, Seongnam Arts Center on Sept. 7, Tongyeong International Music Concert Hall on Sept. 8 and finally, the Seoul Arts Center on Sept. 10.

For the first song, Kang chose Giuseppe Tartini’s “Violin Sonata in G minor ‘Il Trillo del Diavolo,’” which reminds her of today's world. Nicknamed the “Devil’s Trill Sonata,” the composition is about Tartini’s dream, in which he formed a pact with the devil in exchange for his soul.

“It can be connected to the horrendous reality we’re facing,” she said. “I always strive to be a musician conscious about everything happening worldwide.”

Kang hopes to visit nations that are currently suffering or cannot afford to enjoy classical music. She says that classical music has the power to console and encourage. Lately, she has been contemplating how she could actually visit these nations.

The next song, Sergei Prokofiev’s “Violin Sonata No. 1, Op. 80,” was written during World War II.

“I first heard it when I was eight, and I remember being so shocked,” she said. “Although at the time I didn’t understand much about wars or Prokofiev’s intention behind it, I could feel the music's power. I thought it would be perfect to play after the ‘Devil’s Trill.’”

The last two songs, Ernest Chausson’s “Poème, Op. 25” and César Franck’s “Violin Sonata in A Major,” are more cheerful and widely loved by fans, so Kang wanted to play them as a gift to her audience.

Clara-Jumi Kang [MARCO BORGGREVE]

During the press conference, Kang had her violin laid out on the table in front of her. It’s a “Thunis” Stradivarius of 1702, she explained, holding it up with a gleaming smile and eager to show it to reporters. She got it last summer and has been performing with it since.

The Stradivarius was provided to her by Kia, for which she is now a global ambassador. Before that, she was sponsored by the Samsung Foundation of Culture for about eight years, during which she used a different violin.

“That violin was so beautiful,” Kang recalled. “If my old violin was like a diamond gemstone, my new one is like an unprocessed mineral before the diamond is cut. I felt such extraordinary energy from playing this Stradivarius that I knew instantly I must have it.”

Tickets for the upcoming shows can be purchased at Interpark Ticket. Prices range from 40,000 won ($29) to 130,000 won.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]